Medusa worm (apodid) is breeding

[CELACANTHr]

A few months back I bought a small medusa worm (apodid), that came from the carribean, and it seems to feed on the diatoms, algae, and detritus in my tank, or at least it is "swabbing" its feeders over the algae and diatoms and detritus. Well, about 4 weeks ago I saw a bunch of tiny ones. I think there were at least 20 or so new ones. They are all tiny though, but look exactly like the large medusa. Today ! finally saw my medusa worm again, and it has at least tripled in size.

I believe these are Synaptula hydriformis, but I can't be sure.

The small medusa worms couldn't have come in on my live rock, since all of my rock I made myself, and the only true LR that I have came from the pacific, and I am pretty sure that these are the same medusa worms as the big one, but I am not willing to cut one open and send it off to find out .

All of the original babies have survived, and I have gottne another generation or two of baby apodid's.

I am trying to figure out what has caused these fella's to breed. I think it may have something to do with temp since I don't have a heater, and my house's temp swings with the seasons, or with salinity.

The only thing I know is that :
-they are simultaneous hermaphrodites
-these are probably self fertilizing
-the larvae probably develop inside the parent

So do y'all have any suggestions on what kind of not-so-scientific experiments I can perform to figure out what has caused them to breed?

Any other coments or suggestions?

 

[h2joe]

got any pics? would love to see what they look like as little babies.

 

[CELACANTHr]

They look absolutely IDENTICAL to the parents. It is pretty neat that I was able to find one of the apodid's that brood their young internally.